Moral Dilemma -Should I give them the money?

juicyjackieb

Ok - I have a bit of a dilemma, need some advice and maybe some legal help!

A week ago I bought a car via ebay, it was classified not a bidding auction, the seller was a car dealership. As I am a learner and couldnt get there they very kindly agreed to deliver it, providing I paid in advance. I though this was fair enough and after checking them out (they had good feedback etc) I agreed to do a telephone payment with my switch card.

The man who took my payment (£700) was older and struggled with their system but it went through and it was authorised and he was happy. The car was delivered and is a great little runner and I am a happy ebayer.

Upon checking my bank balance today I discovered the money is still there, its been over a week. I spoke to the bank and they said that yes the money was called for, they authorised it but he needed to key that authorisation key into their system to complete the transactions which so far hasnt been done.

I am now at a dilemma; I am on the whole a fairly honest person, i wouldnt steal cash out of someone wallet so not sure how I feel about this. Should I ring them and tell them? Get it off my conscious? Keep schtum and see if they forget about me? My dad is self employed and if someone did this to him or me I would be going bananas! £700 is a lot of money to me, but I know its a lot of money to them too.


What should I do? What would you do?
How long do they have to claim the payment?
If they lost that authorisation code and contact me so I have to give it to them?
What are my rights? What are theirs?

Thanks for you help!

geri1965_2

You have the car, of course you should pay for it!

Lorac29_2

I dont see the dilemma at all, as the above reply says, you have the car, you have to pay for it!

Meepster

Just bare in mind that they have up to 6 months to take the money. Just because it hasn't gone out yet, it doesn't mean it wont go out...

mogadon

I'd have to tell them, my conscience woudln't let me do otherwise.

Aside from that they will notice what's happened and ask for the money eventually anyway, and you'll have to pay it then. In the meantime the poor bloke who did it will have had a hell of a time for it. Tell them now and chances are there'll be no harm done.

Essex123

Agree with the above. You never know... they might even show their appreciation for your honesty with a small goodwill gesture - e.g. free service for your new car.

Mado

You call this a "moral" dilema????
There is nothing remotely moral about not paying for something you have.

I am shocked you even consider asking the question.

Glad

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

cyberbob

So you want everyone to agree with you so you can justify not paying for something?:cool: They can quite easily come after you for the payment months down the line. So if you want it pay for it, If you don't find some way to return it to them.

Not much of a moral dilema more like common sense


Confused as to why glad moved this here though as it's not a specfic ebay question is it just because the word ebay appears?

MadelinesMum

Hi, considering the amount of money and the company's books dramatically not balancing at the end of the month (so someone would probably get disciplined) I would leave it until you get your bank statement then phone them to let them know the money had not gone through to them. Hope the car's running well for you. x

emerald_starcat

So you have effectively stole the car?